A Letter Written on Jan 14, 1903

Templeton, Mass
Jan. 14, 1902 [sic - should be 1903 according to the envelope]

Dear Lucy:-

It seems quite a while since I last wrote to you, although it is but a few short weeks. Thank you very kindly for your wishes. Mama gave me a book one of S. R. Crockett's the title is "Cinderella." It is fine. I think you would enjoy reading it. I think it one of his best works and I have read quite a number, as he is a favorite of mine. Papa gave me a "Dictionary of Quotations," as large as the one in the library. Mama expects Amber and Rogue to be spouting quotations at a great rate.

Flossie went to the hospital in Wocester [sic] Monday noon. They have not preformed [sic] the operation yet and Dr. Greenwood said, the doctors didn't know when they would preform the operation, but when they ascertain the proper time he is going down. The Lend A Hand gave seven dollars, Y.P.U. ten, L.S.C. three five, & Adam's Guild three. This money was put into Dr. G-'s hands. She is all alone down there now. And I understand Dr. G- has grave fears for her, as he says her nervous system is almost completely shattered. He says, the operation should have been preformed long ago.

Perley Smith is working in Wocester for a milk-man.

I quite agree with you. The road of a probationer is hard. and there is certainly a good deal of red tape and of unneccessary [sic] work. that seems perfectly useless.

Edwin Hersey is working for T.T. Greenwood in East Templeton[.]

Miss Maria Cutting it [sic] still very seriously ill.

Martha Newton has got the measles.

The Wellington Club are going to have Gentlemen's Night on Friday. Chicken pie, oyster stew and pies, puddings and cakes will be the supper. It is to be served in the chapel. In the evening at a later hour sleigh-of-hand [sic] preformances [sic] will furnish be the entertainment, given by a gentleman from Gardner.

The youngest Miss Maynard's literary acheivements [sic] are certainly wonderful. I am afraid that Mr. & Mrs. Maynard have not dwelt to any great depth on the subject of religion. Apparently it's [sic] meaning has not entered her mind as yet. We all had a very hearty laugh out of it.

You would have worn a smile if you had been here yesterday morning. While papa was in the store he knocked down a small bottle of pickles, and broke the top off. The original cost was ten cents, but Mr. Johnson said five would do. So Papa brought them home. They apparently were tiny green peppers about half an inch long, some less. We all took one and popped into our mouths. Well, prehaps [sic] we didn't hope. Such warm articles I have never tasted. Papa and I fished ours out of our mouths, but I managed to swallow mine, mama's went into the swill pail[.] They are very nice with meat. It only needs a tiny, tiny piece to flavor it. They are such innocent looking things, one would never suppose there was so much bitter-ness inside of one.

I am glad Amber enjoyed the catnip and that you liked the chips.

Sunday after noon I went for a ride up to Mr. Edgar Hills. It stormed quite hard when I returned.

Tuesday was the Union. Papa Mama and Andrew attended. The entertainment was a farce. There was not very many present. Miss Sanderson was a bride and she wore the dress, she wore at my wedding. Harry Stanley was the groom and the minister. (?) His parish gave a donation party and everybody donated pickles. Four week's [sic] from last night is to be the annual masquerade.

Helen Maynard instead of haveing [sic] her gentleman visit her, goes to visit him. She goes down to Dora's, and one night stayed until twelve and once until after. Shep [sic] is beginning to get mad, as she comes down on an average of twice a week. He thinks he would prefer to be in bed, then have to stay up with Dora in the kitchen while Helen and her friend discuss the leading topics of the day in the parlor.

Mrs. Lester's mother is very ill. She is not expected to live.

Warren Seaver has been haveing [sic] a fine time with an ulcerated tooth. When I saw him he looked as if he had been engaged in some pugilistic encounter and his dimples had completely vanished[.] Shakespeare says, "What man ever bore patiently a tooth-ache." I quite agree with him.

Well, I suppose it is time to close. My news are exhausted my stomach is empty and so I have written enough. By the way where are those names which you were to send me. I like Percy Willfred pretty well.

Write all the news, and when you have any spare moments jot down varyious names.

Your loving friend
Edie.